Chapter 440: Duke of Round Moon

The pitch‑black coffin before him seemed to swallow even the surrounding light, making Emrin feel as if he could never see clearly.

In the two seconds he was stunned, Nibaise's voice rang out hoarsely:

"What revelation has the Ancestor given you?"

Emrin quickly recovered, inhaled deeply to steady his emotions, and said in a solemn tone:

"On the southern continent, in the Pas River Valley of Xibailang, there are active followers of the Primitive Moon."

He did not state it plainly, after all it was only a revelation, and then he added:

"I heard at a gathering that the Knowledge Church and the local forces of the southern continent are preparing to purge those active Primitive Moon worshippers. If our Blood Clan can take part, we should be able to reclaim many traits that already belong to us."

"Lord Nibaise, you could also pray to the Ancestor for a more precise guide; as a Marquis you should find it easier to receive the Ancestor's response than I do."

Emrin quoted Leike Dun's words from the Tarot Society, hoping that the Blood Clan Marquis Nibaise would pray to the Ancestor, since the so‑called revelation was just something he made up on the spot.

Big figures such as Dukes and Marquises are certainly more likely to get a response from the Ancestor, and the Fool did not warn him about this, which shows that the Fool also believes the Ancestor will give our Blood Clan the correct revelation.

Inside the coffin, Nibaise fell into a long silence, the atmosphere dead and still.

After a long while, when Emrin thought Nibaise might have already forgotten him, he heard the other's voice again, hoarse and ancient, yet faintly tinged with doubt and excitement:

"I understand. You go back first; I will contact the Duke of Round Moon through prayer. Keep this matter secret for now."

"Very well, Lord Nibaise."

Emrin stared dumbfounded for a moment, then after bowing, turned and left the basement.

Outside the basement, Casimi watched Emrin walk out and curiously asked:

"What did you say to Grandfather?"

"He‑Nibaise said we cannot disclose it for now."

Emrin laughed lightly, deliberately emphasizing the "for now" part, then headed straight back the way he came.

Casimi stood frozen for a second, gave Emrin a dissatisfied look, then turned back to the door leading to the basement, hesitated, restrained the urge to go in and ask, and walked toward the manor's exterior.

After leaving Aodela Manor, Emrin hired a carriage to go to the commercial street in the Hills Town District, where a newly opened doll shop stood; in a good mood, he wanted to acquire another collectible for himself.

Leaning against the carriage's cabin, Emrin stared out the bulging window at the street below, lost in thought.

The sudden silence and emotional shift of Lord Nibaise just now—was it because he prayed to the Ancestor and actually received a response? Very possible; otherwise he wouldn't have said outright that he would contact the "Round Moon" Grand Duke, a true great figure who once followed the Ancestor and existed as an ancient powerhouse before the Great Cataclysm.

Thinking of the deeds of the "Round Moon" Grand Duke, Emrin couldn't help but curl his lip, wondering whether he would ever meet this being who is one of the three great dukes in Blood Clan legend.

Silver City, atop the Round Tower where the Six‑person Council meets.

Dairik knocked nervously on the door of Chief Colin's room.

A strong voice soon came from inside: "Enter!"

With a creak, Dairik pushed the door open and entered the chief's chamber, seeing the chief standing by the window, Colin Yiliate.

He wore a simple linen shirt, a belt divided into many slots at his waist, and his graying hair was a bit disheveled.

"Chief!" Dairik respectfully saluted and greeted him.

Colin turned at a measured pace, looked at the now less‑green Dairik behind him, and nodded lightly:

"You went to another gathering again?"

"Yes." Dairik nodded gently, then, without waiting for the chief's question, began to speak of his own accord:

"Chief, at the gathering I heard them discuss a path called the Apprentice. Its extraordinary practitioners have the ability to traverse all places; at a certain level it seems to be the 'Wanderer' or 'Traveling Mage' stage, and they can even break free from the constraints of the spirit realm, moving freely in and out of the Divine Abandoned Land!"

Chief Colin's eyes flickered, then, as if lost in deep recollection, he was silent for a while before his hoarse voice finally said:

"Apprentice? Unfortunately, Silver City has no records of such a path, and the role required to digest demonic elixirs may not be met here; since one can move freely among places, digesting demonic elixirs would likely require a corresponding role."

"I recall that among the eight ancient gods, the Phoenix Ancestor Grey Jiali's description mentions the ability to travel freely among worlds and places."

"Perhaps the Apprentice path was once one of the powers held by that Phoenix Ancestor."

"Phoenix Ancestor?" Dairik asked, puzzled, but did not press further; he then turned to speak of the materials Leike Dun needs for demonic elixirs:

"Chief, at the gathering someone is seeking the Red Crown of the Dawn Rooster King, Pure White Radiant Stone, the Heart of the Serpent‑Hair Sea Demon, and the Crown Feather of the Thunder Owl—these extraordinary materials are from the person who last traded grain with us for a Druid Recipe."

Colin nodded lightly and said gravely:

"The Silver City warehouse has the Pure White Radiant Stone and the Crown Feather of the Thunder Owl; you can let him continue trading grain with us."

"Those normal, untainted foods—we need a lot. If he can't gather enough grain alone, you could post a commission at the gathering; the reward would be some extraordinary materials."

"If anyone refuses to trade or tries to lower the price, you may temporarily cease trading with them."

"Understood, Chief." Dairik replied with a nod, though he didn't fully grasp it.

In his view, members of the Tarot Society are all quite friendly and helpful; our previous trades have rarely involved price cuts or post‑agreement refusals.

Colin fell silent, his gaze drifting to the Silver City outside, illuminated by frequent lightning, and said calmly:

"The first exploration team that charted a route to the Giant King's Court has returned; soon we will organize a second, deeper expedition, mainly to a town called Afternoon Town, which is also a necessary passage to the Giant King's Court."

"I will lead this expedition, and you will go with me; your abilities will greatly aid the exploration."

"Yes, Chief!" Dairik's eyes flashed briefly, and his voice replied steadily.

At last the exploration of the Giant King's Court will begin; it may be the key to leaving the Divine Abandoned Land.

Above the gray mist, after listening to Little Sun's prayer, Ke Lai En fell silent for a moment, sitting on the high‑back chair belonging to the Fool, his posture relaxed and steady.

Silver City is about to start the exploration of Afternoon Town, planning to use it as a transit and rest point before pushing further toward the Giant King's Court?

"My intuition tells me the Giant King's Court won't be a place we can explore easily, like a BOSS level in a game."

Speaking to himself, Ke Lai En trimmed the Little Sun's prayer, keeping only the lines about exchanging grain for Pure White Radiant Stone and Crown Feather of the Thunder Owl, and threw them into the deep‑red star representing Leike Dun.

He then enveloped himself in a spiritual aura, simulated a falling sensation, and left the gray mist above.

Late night, Beckland South District.

Emrin, not at all sleepy, flipped through the book on the Second Era's history borrowed from the Blood Clan Baron Weymandi.

After a while he couldn't help but yawn; fatigue and drowsiness washed over his whole body.

"Strange, why am I drowsy at night? I'm not a low‑level human creature, am I not! I'm being affected…"

Before more thoughts could surface, Aimulin had already fallen asleep lying on the table in front of him.

The Crimson Moon outside the window showered down bits of moonlight, which streamed through the window onto his body, making the scene look peaceful and harmonious.

Asleep, Aimulin unknowingly was drawn into a dream; here he saw a huge full moon illuminating the entire land, under the crimson moonlight countless black bats flew across the sky in flocks.

In the next moment, a pair of enormous membranous wings, large enough to cover an entire city, shrouded the sky above his head.

Feelings of panic and fear appeared on Aimulin like a delayed beat; before he could react, a low, oppressive whisper came from beside his ear:

"Interesting little one, don't worry, I'm just curious what's different about the young blood clan who received the progenitor's revelation and favor from the mouth of that little one Nibaisi."

"Being able to become a baron so quickly can barely be considered somewhat impressive among the younger generation of the blood clan."

After a brief pause, that somewhat low-pitched voice continued:

"Who is the person who wants to deal with the Primordial Moon Followers? Do you have his contact information? I will go and speak with him myself."

Aimulin, somewhat dazed, uttered the messenger summoning incantation of Leikedun.

Before he could react, that somewhat low-pitched and extremely oppressive voice sounded again:

"A messenger? I understand. The fortunate one chosen by the progenitor, I hope you can show me some new future of the blood clan."

The dream suddenly went dark, as if heaven and earth had merged together; under intense panic and oppression, Aimulin abruptly awoke from his sleep.

In the room lit by the gas wall lamp, appearing dim yellow, he leaned on a wooden chair covered with a blanket, gasping heavily, the memories from the dream just now surfaced clearly in his mind.

Marquis Nibaisi, a powerful blood clan active in the Fourth Era, called him a little one; just now that was an ancient duke? And that crimson full moon, the duke titled 'Full Moon', Olmer!

"I am indeed a blood clan chosen by the progenitor, a fortunate one favored by the progenitor; even the Duke of the Full Moon has acknowledged my identity!"

Aimulin slightly raised his chin and muttered to himself, the smile on his face growing brighter; he even had the urge to go show off in front of Kaximi right now.

No, no, Kasimi is the grandson of Lord Nibaisi; he perhaps already knew this matter, knew my identity, his earlier behavior was merely jealousy toward me!

I am a blood clan favored by the progenitor, the savior of the blood clan; before truly completing the progenitor's revelation, I should keep a low profile. Showing off at the Tarot Association shouldn't count, for that place is the divine realm of the Fool Mister; everyone will maintain a certain tacit understanding about what happens there.

Thoughts flitted through Aimulin's mind, his mood gradually becoming cheerful; he could already imagine the surprised expression of the immature 'Sun' at the next Tarot Association upon learning he had received a deity's favor.

(End of chapter)